The National Postal Forum is an event like no other.
The
annual conference, also known as NPF, is the mailing and shipping industry’s
largest meeting, bringing together USPS executives and more than 4,000 business
customers for major announcements, topical discussions, informational sessions
and more.
Here
are some stories from this year’s NPF, which concluded May 9 in San Antonio.
‘We’re
always looking for an opportunity’
Race
Gordon is a postal inspector whose usual job is to protect the mail, but he
took on a somewhat different role at NPF:
Teacher.
Gordon,
who is based in Laredo, TX, helped staff the Inspection Service’s display,
where he and his colleagues spent time talking to business customers and
answering their questions.
A
common query: What kinds of items can be mailed?
“Those
questions are easy because you can just refer to the Customer’s Mailing Guide,”
he said.
Gordon
is glad the Inspection Service is part of NPF because the agency’s educational work
is an important part of its mission.
“We’re
always looking for an opportunity to recruit and to tell people about the work
we do,” he said.
‘Are
you my next victim?’
Step
aside, Pat Sajak. Move over, Alex Trebek.
Meet
Valerie Joyner, NPF’s very own “game show” host.
Joyner,
a Pittsburgh-based contractor, spent much of her time at NPF enticing customers
to play Package Path, a video feature at the USPS booth in the exhibit hall.
“Are
you my next victim — er, contestant?” Joyner, wielding a microphone, asked
members of the crowd one day this week.
In
between rounds, Joyner touted Informed Delivery and encouraged passersby to ask
postal employees for details about the mail notification service.
Does
Joyner use Informed Delivery herself?
“Oh,
yes!” she said. “I still get my paychecks in the mail the old-fashioned way, so
knowing that it’s going to show up in my box is a huge relief every time.”
‘We
quickly sold out’
San
Antonio District Retail Manager Yvette Guzman, an NPF newbie, started preparing
early for her first forum.
Before
the event kicked off, she helped design the Postal Service’s booth and choose
the inventory.
Her
choices proved to be wise.
“We
quickly sold out of the Disney Villains stamp art,” she said.
Guzman
also designed the three NPF stamp cancellations — one for each full day of the
conference.
The
Texas native has spent all 33 years of her career in San Antonio and encouraged
visitors to check out the city, which is marking its 300th anniversary this
year.
“I’ve
been telling everyone who is here for the first time to visit the Alamo and
explore the rich history,” she said.
‘People
are really excited’
Sr.
Sales Executive Todd Scroggie joined USPS less than eight years ago, but he
already has five postal
forums under his belt.
Scroggie
and his team are experts who can answer practically any question customers ask,
whether it’s about mailing, shipping — or the digital feature that was the star
of this year’s show.
“People
are really excited about Informed Delivery,” said Scroggie, who helped staff
the USPS booth in the exhibit hall.
“Our
business customers are excited about direct mail campaigns. Personally
speaking, I travel a lot, so it’s nice to be able to check my mail when I’m
away.”
While
he enjoyed his time in Texas, the Detroit-based Scroggie already is looking
forward to next year’s NPF in Indianapolis.
“That’s
my backyard,” he said.
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